Luke 14:11 For whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased;

KJV Verse:

Greek Verse:

Literal Alternative:

Because every one lifting up himself will be lowered. And the one lowering himself will be lifted higher.

Hidden Meaning:

This verse is simpler and funnier in Greek. The whole verse is a play on words. The two verbs have a double meaning, both the opposite of each other, with the primary one lost in translation and even the second one is muddled. Their primary meanings are "to lift up" and "to lower." Their secondary meanings are "to praise" and "to disparage."

The word translated as "for" introduces a statement of fact or cause. "Because" works best connecting this to the previous verses.

The word translated as "whoseoever" is the Greek adjective meaning "all", "the whole", "every," and similar ideas. When it is used as a noun, we would say "everything." As an adverb, it means "in every way", "on every side," and "altogether."

The word translated as "exhalteth" is from a verb that means "to lift high", "to raise up." It is a metaphor for "to elevate" and "to exalt." Christ uses several words to mean "lift" or "raise" up but he uses this one primarily when making a play on words. Here it is used as an adjective, "lifting higher" or "exalting". The article before makes it a noun so, "the one lifting higher."

"Himself" is a from a special reflexive pronoun that means "himself", "herself," and so on.

"Shall be abased" is a verb that means "to lower", "to reduce", "to lessen", "to disparage", "to minimize," and "to humble." It is in the future tense but passive. This is the same verb that is translated as "humbleth" below.

The Greek word translated as "and" is used as the conjunction "and", but it also is used to add emphasis ("also") and, in a series, is best translated as "not only...but also."

The word translated as "he that" is the Greek article, "the," which usually proceeds a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one." Here, it makes a noun out of an adjective, so "the one".

"Humbleth" is a verb that means "to lower", "to reduce", "to lessen", "to disparage", "to minimize," and "to humble." It is in the form of an adjective so "lowering" or "disparaging". With the article, "the one lowering" or "the one disparaging."

The word translated as "shall be exhalted" is from a verb that means "to lift high", "to raise up." It is a metaphor for "to elevate" and "to exalt." It is in the future tense.

Wordplay:

The whole verse is a play on words. The two verbs have a double meaning,both the opposite of each other. Their primary meanings are "to lift up" and "to lower." There secondary meanings are "to praise" and "to disparage."

Vocabulary:

ὅτι (adv/conj) "For" is hoti, which introduces a statement of fact "with regard to the fact that", "seeing that," and acts as a causal adverb meaning "for what", "because", "since," and "wherefore."

καὶ (conj)"And" is from kai, which is the conjunction joining phrases and clauses, "and," or "but." After words implying sameness, "as" (the same opinion as you). Used in series, joins positive with negative "Not only...but also." Also used to give emphasis, "even", "also," and "just."

ὁ (article) "He that" is the Greek article, "the," which usually proceeds a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one" or, in the plural, "the ones." Here it is separated from its noun by a conjunction.